West Virginia University Assistant Professor of Saxophone Michael Ibrahim, along with pianist and WVU alumnus John Morrison, revives the legacy of the French saxophone in his new CD “French Music for Alto Saxophone.”
The CD features music by the great French saxophonist Marcel Mule (1901-2001). Mule became a fundamental figure in the development of the instrument after reinstating the saxophone course at the Paris Conservatoire in 1942.
Ibrahim previously released a CD entitled “J.S. Bach: For Saxophone” in 2005 and since then has been featured on numerous other CDs.
Recently, Ibrahim performed at St. Martins-in-the-Field in London, alongside WVU Professor of Piano Peter Amstutz.
“Peter and I enjoyed playing in such a beautiful cathedral,” Ibrahim said. “We played a program of American works that we are planning on recording for a future release.”
At WVU, Ibrahim teaches the course “The Saxophone in Paris.” The course explores the numerous roles of the saxophone in French culture and allows for six students to take a trip to Paris to observe French professionals and learn the history of the saxophone in the “City of Light.”
Ibrahim studied at the Manhattan School of Music, Bowling Green State University, the Universit� Europ�enne de Saxophone in France, the University of Calgary and the University of Regina. Noted for his “sheer virtuosity and musical intensity,” Ibrahim has won numerous competitions including the North American Saxophone Alliance Classical Artist Competition, the Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition for Woodwinds, the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, the MTNA Woodwind Collegiate Artist and Chamber Music Competitions, and a Darmstadt Performance Prize for Contemporary Music. His solo and chamber music performances have taken place in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, Miller Theater, Symphony Space and the Kitchen.
For more information about “French Music for Alto Saxophone,” visit: http://www.calarecords.com/us or www.michaelibrahim.com.
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Lb/5-4-12
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